Mixed experience in Albania — beautiful but overhyped

Albania is undeniably beautiful. Berat old town (City of a Thousand Windows) and the area around Shkodër have a visual quality that photographs don't capture fully. I enjoyed tavë kosi and appreciated genuinely one of Europe's best-kept secrets. That's all real.

But driving is wild was more of a problem than I expected based on reviews I'd read. It coloured parts of the trip in ways I hadn't prepared for. I'd still go back, but I'd approach certain aspects differently. A 4 feels generous on a bad day but fair overall.